Discussion

Cleveland - West Side Market Recs?

I'm driving from NYC to Chicago and will take the opportunity to sleep near Cleveland this time.

I'll only have a few hours to spend in your city, so I was thinking of going to the West Side Market this Friday morning. What are some of the unique, local, awesome, not-to-be-missed offerings at the market? To eat there and to grab as gifts for fellow food lovers.

I like Orale. The have Mexican food that they will heat up upon request.

I also like the pierogi stand. Cleveland really likes their pierogis and this stand does a great job. Of course, if there's one city in the US where you don't need to bring pierogis, it's Chicago. Same for kielbasa, but there's plenty of that in the market, too.

Reilly's is awesome and local but I'm not sure how uniquely Cleveland it is. They have delicious Irish baked goods.

I have only been to the market once. But if you like cupcakes, try GRANDMA FREDA'S FRESH BAKE STAND: H-12. Delicious cupcakes, I especially liked a version with peanut butter frosting, really yummy. I also had a crepe , very good. And I love the pasta at Ohio City Pasta, not sure how easy that would be to bring home though.

Sorry if you missed this! But I love West Side Market. Take a cooler if you can. Ohio City Pasta makes some of the best ravioli and traditional pastas around and their sauces are superb. If you enough from them (I think it's $50) they give you a coupon that you can use at their takeaway stand across the aisle.

I've bought meat from Wiencek's, which I highly recommend.

Don't skip the produce side! The guys are willing to deal especially at the end of the day. And a West Side Market bag is $1, so you can haul everything home.

Sorry, too late for your trip Joe, but when I think of the West Side Market, people -- if I'm starting off the day there early, say like 7am early -- how about some love for the West Side Market Cafe with the entrance on 25th? It's not much to look at, but if you're there for breakfast, they turn out an amazing eggs benedict or just a basic diner breakfast with eggs and hash browns. I think it's a great spot to start a morning there.